Junior Rasmussen
Wedding welcome parties are a great way to kick off the festivities and bring all your guests together for the first time. They are usually held the day before the wedding, especially if it is a destination wedding, to celebrate and thank the guests who have travelled. There are no set rules for how long a wedding welcome party should last, but they typically last for two to three hours. It is important to consider arrival times and whether you are serving a full meal or not. The welcome party is a great opportunity to be adventurous with food and serve something completely different from the wedding day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Purpose | To kick off the festivities, bring guests together, and thank those who have travelled |
| Timing | Usually the day before the wedding, but can vary |
| Food and drink | Passed tasting plates, heavy hors d'oeuvres, dessert and champagne, cocktails, heavy appetizers, or a casual, family-style meal |
| Entertainment | Live music, dance party, yard games, board games, sports matches |
| Invites | Include a dedicated invitation with mailed wedding invite |
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What You'll Learn
- Timing: Two to three hours, depending on guest arrival times and if a full meal is served
- Purpose: To thank guests who travelled, and as an icebreaker for guests to meet
- Food and drink: Heavy appetisers, tasting plates, hors d'oeuvres, or a casual meal if during dinnertime
- Location: A popular destination in town or a separate location from the rehearsal dinner
- Entertainment: Live music, yard games, board games, or sports matches
Timing: Two to three hours, depending on guest arrival times and if a full meal is served
The timing of your wedding welcome party is crucial to ensuring your guests can attend and get some rest before the main event. Typically, a wedding welcome party should last from two to three hours. This duration is flexible depending on how staggered your guests' arrival times are and whether you plan to serve a full meal.
If your wedding is a destination for all guests, consider scheduling the welcome party for the day guests are set to arrive. This gives them time to settle in and rest up before the party. It's also important to finalise the date of the welcome party as soon as the wedding date is set, so you can plan other details such as catering and decor.
The welcome party is a great opportunity to bring together your curated guest list, including family and friends who may not know each other. It's an icebreaker that sets the tone for the entire weekend. You can host a themed event, introduce guests to local cuisine, or rent out a popular destination in town.
When planning the timing of your welcome party, consider whether you want to serve a full meal or just heavy appetisers. If your party goes through dinner hour, it's a good idea to provide at least a casual, family-style meal. You don't want your guests to go hungry or have to find a late-night spot to eat in an unfamiliar place.
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Purpose: To thank guests who travelled, and as an icebreaker for guests to meet
A wedding welcome party is a great way to thank your guests, especially those who have travelled, and it serves as an excellent icebreaker for guests to meet and interact before the main event.
Welcome parties are usually held the day before the wedding, but the timing can be adjusted to suit your preferences. It is a good idea to finalise the date of the welcome party soon after setting the wedding date, to help with other planning aspects such as catering and decor. It is also important to consider travel details, giving guests enough time to rest and settle in before the party.
The welcome party is an opportunity for guests to meet and socialise in a more relaxed setting before the wedding. It is a great way to bring everyone together, especially if you have a curated guest list with guests who may not know each other. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the festivities and can be a fun and informal event.
The duration of a wedding welcome party can vary, typically lasting from two to three hours. This allows enough time for guests to arrive, socialise and enjoy the food and drinks without being too tired for the main wedding event. If you are serving a full meal, you may want to extend the duration, ensuring it doesn't overlap with the rehearsal dinner if held on the same day.
The welcome party can be tailored to your liking, with themes, live music, or even a showcase of the region's cuisine if you are having a destination wedding. It is a chance to be adventurous with food and serve something unique, such as tasting plates, heavy hors d'oeuvres, or even a dessert and champagne event.
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Food and drink: Heavy appetisers, tasting plates, hors d'oeuvres, or a casual meal if during dinnertime
When it comes to food and drink for your wedding welcome party, there are a few options to consider, depending on the time of day and the duration of the event. If your party falls during dinnertime, it is important to provide a casual meal for your guests. You don't want your guests to be left hungry and searching for a late-night spot to eat, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area.
One option is to serve heavy appetisers or tasting plates. These can be more substantial than your typical hors d'oeuvres and can be designed to fill your guests up. Think about items like mini biscuit sandwiches, savoury tarts, or even fast food snacks. You can also set up food stations dedicated to your favourite foods, like a sushi and hand roll bar. If you're serving heavy appetisers, make sure to communicate this to your guests so they know to fill up during the party.
Another option is to offer a variety of hors d'oeuvres, which can be passed or stationary. These can range from savoury to sweet, and from simple to complex. One-bite snacks, such as bite-sized treats served on skewers, are always a hit at cocktail parties. This allows guests to easily hold their drink in one hand and grab a bite with the other. If you're concerned about food allergies or restrictions, you can also offer "snack plates" with a variety of options.
If you're looking for something more substantial, consider a casual meal option. This could be a simple, family-style meal served buffet-style or at designated food stations. For example, you could have a charcuterie spread with cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and crackers. This type of offering encourages guests to mingle and socialise while enjoying their food.
Remember, the duration of your welcome party will also impact the food choices. If your party is two to three hours long, you'll want to ensure there is enough food to sustain your guests throughout the event. It's also a good idea to provide a variety of options to cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions.
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Location: A popular destination in town or a separate location from the rehearsal dinner
When it comes to choosing a location for your wedding welcome party, a popular destination in town or a separate venue from the rehearsal dinner are both great options. Here are some tips and considerations for each choice:
Popular Destination in Town
If you opt for a well-known spot in town, it can add a unique and memorable touch to your welcome party. Consider venues with a lot of character and play into the surroundings, especially if you and your guests are travelling to celebrate. The ambiance and atmosphere of the location can enhance the overall experience. This could be a chic, simple gathering at a bar or restaurant, or a lively event with games and music at a venue with a distinct vibe.
Separate Location from the Rehearsal Dinner
Choosing a different location for the rehearsal dinner and the welcome party can be a thoughtful decision. This ensures that there isn't an awkward overlap if the dinner runs long. It also allows for a smooth transition as guests can move to a new setting. You can opt for an intimate dinner at one place and then move to a more vibrant location with extended guests. This could be a fun way to build excitement and create a distinct atmosphere for each part of the celebration.
General Considerations
Regardless of the location you choose, here are some additional factors to keep in mind:
- Timing: Welcome parties typically last for two to three hours. Consider staggered arrival times and whether you'll be serving a full meal. Avoid the dinner hour, or provide a casual meal if it does extend to that time.
- Guest Experience: Ensure the location is convenient for guests, especially if they are staying in nearby hotels. The location should also accommodate your guest count comfortably.
- Entertainment: Plan activities to engage your guests, such as yard games, board games, or a live band.
- Budget: The cost of the welcome party can depend on the financing of the wedding ceremony and reception. On average, you can expect to spend around $3,000, but a larger guest count or more lavish spread may increase the budget.
Remember, the key is to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your guests, whether you choose a popular destination in town or a separate location from the rehearsal dinner.
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Entertainment: Live music, yard games, board games, or sports matches
Wedding welcome parties are usually held the day before the wedding. They can be during the day or in the evening, and typically last for around two hours. Welcome parties are especially nice if you're expecting a lot of out-of-town guests or hosting a destination wedding, as they give you more time to connect with friends.
Entertainment is a key part of creating a memorable day for everyone. Here are some ideas for entertainment centred around live music, yard games, board games, and sports matches:
Live Music
Live music is a great way to entertain your guests and can be tailored to suit your taste and style as a couple. You could hire a string quartet, an acoustic guitarist, or a harpist to provide a romantic and elegant atmosphere during key moments of the ceremony and as guests arrive. For something a little different, consider a slick saxophonist or a rustic folk band. If you're after something more interactive, you could even hire singing waiters to surprise your guests and get everyone up and dancing.
Yard Games
Yard games are a fun way to get your guests mingling and can be tailored to suit the vibe you're going for. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Cornhole: a classic yard game that can be customised with your names, wedding date, or monogram.
- Giant Checkers: an oversized version of a beloved board game that will draw guests of all ages.
- Ladder Golf: a game for two or more people where each team takes turns throwing bolas (two golf balls attached to a nylon rope) at a ladder.
- Giant Jenga: a game of balance with "Did You Know" facts about the couple on each block.
- Archery: hire an instructor to teach your guests how to shoot a bow and arrow, providing a unique and memorable experience.
Board Games
Board games are perfect for entertaining your more introverted guests and can be set up at tables for guests to play throughout the evening. Here are some suggestions:
- Traditional games: Yahtzee, Uno, Scrabble, and Life are all great options that appeal to a large audience.
- Drinking games: for a more casual wedding, set up stations with drinking games like beer pong or flip cup.
- Mad Libs: create a Mad Libs-style template for guests to fill out at their tables, offering advice and words of wisdom to the newlyweds.
Sports Matches
Coordinated sports matches can be a fun addition to your welcome party, depending on the time and vibe you're going for. You could organise a friendly match with guests participating or simply set up a screen to live-stream a match for guests to watch.
Remember, the entertainment you choose should reflect you as a couple and ensure your guests are engaged and having a memorable time.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding welcome party typically lasts for two to three hours.
A wedding welcome party is usually held the day before the wedding.
A wedding welcome party is meant to kick off the celebrations and bring all the guests together for the first time.
There is no requirement to serve a full meal at a wedding welcome party. Passed tasting plates, heavy hors d'oeuvres, or a dessert and champagne event are all good options.
Wedding welcome parties were originally designed to celebrate and thank guests who have travelled to the wedding from out of town. However, nowadays, all guests should be invited to the welcome party, regardless of whether they are local or not.
